Muhle R41 and blade choices

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Well-Known Member

Hi all
just pulled the trigger on an R41, which is to be used for those times when I have quite a few days growth.

I've not had a really "aggressive" DE before and was wondering what difference blade choice will make to the overall aggressiveness and feel of the shave. ie. If I put a Derby in it compared with a Feather?

Steve Bowles

Guest

I've been dealing with the 'Widow Maker' for over three and a half years. I've yet to find a comfortable blade. It all comes down to angle. If you get the angle right, the blade is not an issue. Most of the time, I don't get the angle right.

Well-Known Member

Thanks for your replies, I’ll let you know how I get on. I think I’ll try a Rubie for my first shave.
I’m pretty happy using straights so hopefully my angle control isn’t too bad. Though that sound remarkably like “famous last words”!!

Veteran

A couple of weeks ago was the last time I used my R41. Had about 3 days growth and used a nacet in there. Two pass shave and a light pickup, perfect! I was very pleased as I hadn't touched it for a few months.

A few days later I thought I had a great shave last time & would use it again. Same setup, (evening shave this time) two passes and a pickup but didn't really take as much time or with the same concentration as the last one and got the worst razor burn I have had for a while. Sat there at home, face lit up, feeding my face aftershave balm all evening. It had calmed by the morning but I realised the R41 is not your friend, it smiles in your face while planning to stab you in the back.

I usually have no problems with it at all and thought I knew it well as I have used it many times with zero problems. I was wrong as I painfully found out. I will from now on take more care when I break this one out again.

I use no pressure and try to maintain a confident, certain speed on the cutting stroke as if it is too slow then it digs in. I still love it though, a good shave with the R41 feels good!

Forum GOD!

A couple of weeks ago was the last time I used my R41. Had about 3 days growth and used a personna platinum in there. Two pass shave and a light pickup, perfect! I was very pleased as I hadn't touched it for a few months.

A few days later I thought I had a great shave last time & would use it again. Same setup, (evening shave this time) two passes and a pickup but didn't really take as much time or with the same concentration as the last one and got the worst razor burn I have had for a while. Sat there at home, face lit up, feeding my face aftershave balm all evening. It had calmed by the morning but I realised the R41 is not your friend, it smiles in your face while planning to stab you in the back.

I usually have no problems with it at all and thought I knew it well as I have used it many times with zero problems. I was wrong as I painfully found out. I will from now on take more care when I break this one out again.

I use no pressure and try to maintain a confident, certain speed on the cutting stroke as if it is too slow then it digs in. I still love it though, a good shave with the R41 feels good!

Veteran

I like a more aggressive razor. Mild ones tend to lead me to over shaving.
In my experience the R41 does almost feel like it is all just blade (but not quite) but atg feels fine as long as that that concentration and no pressure is in my mind all the time. Phone rings, you get a nick. Door knocks, damn, a weeper!

I can shave atg comfortably all over apart from my lower neck, sides of my adams apple.
I don't usually go all over with a 3rd pass, atg with my R41 as it gives me what I am looking for with a 2 pass, 2nd pass xtg and a light pickup. All my other razors then I will always do atg if I do a 3rd pass.

I use my R41 as a shaving experience, if you get what I mean. I have to be in the right frame of mind to decide to choose it that day, which isn't very often and it's never if I am going to go to work in the morning.
I like to put it back in the rack after a good shave with a good feeling that it has served me well and I like owning one. (Sounds a bit weird but I am a bit of shave geek!)

Everyone should at least try one at some point, I got one because of all the hype and fear that seems to surround them. They are not as fearsome as they are made out.

Senior Member

I have not used the R41, so grain of salt, but I know that it does not clamp blades tightly and I believe razors that don't are more finicky about blades. A sharper blade will cut easier and not get as much pressure on it from the hair making it's lack of firm clamping less problematic. That is my perception of what people are experiencing with this razor and different blades. I have a Schone which is really a Fatip which is basically a tightly clamped R41. Blade selection in the Schone is an after thought. Not much difference between blades, just pick one and shave, they all work great. I really think I might spring for a Joris/Plisson some day.

Forum GOD!

The Other James

It's been a while but I do recall favouring Feather and 7o'clock blacks in the R41. I usually think sharp blades in a mild razor and vice versa but the R41 is an anomaly, the sharper the better in that.